T. Yamashita, et al., “A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study of Postpartum Health Care Service Utilization in the Philippines,” PLoS ONE 9, no. 1 (January 20, 2014).

URL: www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0085627

Abstract

Background: The maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines remains high; thus, it will be difficult to achieve the Millennium Development Goals 5 by 2015. Approximately two-thirds of all maternal deaths occur during the postpartum period. Therefore, we conducted the present study to examine the current state of postpartum health care service utilization in the Philippines, and identify challenges to accessing postpartum care.

Methods: A questionnaire and knowledge test were distributed to postpartum women in the Philippines. The questionnaire collected demographical characteristics and information about their utilization of health care services during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The knowledge test consisted of 11 questions regarding 6 topics related to possible physical and mental symptoms after delivery. Sixty-four questionnaires and knowledge tests were analyzed.

Noting that two thirds of all maternal deaths in the Philippines occur after birth, Yamashita et al. evaluate post-partum healthcare utilization among Filipino women.  The researchers found that particularly among women who delivered at home, healthcare utilization was inadequate among post-partum women, which may be contributing to their high mortality rate.